Western Mining and Railroad Museum is located in the small town of Helper, Utah, two hours southeast of Salt Lake City, named so because of the engines required to help the trains climb the steep grades to Soldier Summit. The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad established the town when the railroad came through the area and coal, that was needed to fuel the steam engines, was found. By 1891 the depot, roundhouse and a hotel were built and the town was beginning. As more coal mines were opened it became the railroad center and the "hub" for coal miners and their families from the many mining camps. The camps were full of European and Asian immigrants and some of them came into Helper to build the town. This is the story told by the Western Mining and Railroad Muesum.

The museum is housed in the Old Helper Hotel building, built in 1913 - 1914